Plant Development and Interactions Job Posting

Two M.Sc. graduate student positions are available in the laboratory of Plant Development and Interactions led by Dr. Jaideep Mathur in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology [https://www.uoguelph.ca/mcb/people/dr-jaideepmathur]. 

Although due consideration will be given to a candidate’s research interests and existing skills, the two broad projects that will be focused upon presently are:

Project 1.  The formation of transient membrane contact sites (MCSs) is an efficient mechanism that fosters inter-organelle communication and maintenance of homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. Plastids are characteristic organelles of the plant lineage of eukaryotes but there are major gaps in our knowledge about their interactions with other organelles. The project will focus on understanding the mechanisms and role of MCS formation in plastids. 

Project 2. Plastids, characteristic organelles of plants with postulated endo-symbiogenic origins, undergo efficient division and proliferation during plant growth and development.  Although several genes and mutants involved in plastid division are known in Arabidopsis thaliana, we still lack insights on the final stages of plastid division. Recent work in our lab has shown that plastids are enmeshed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The project aims for an in-depth investigation into the role of the ER in plastid division.

Both projects utilize cutting-edge tools in plant cell biology and will involve the creation of fluorescent protein probes and their application to a collection of relevant mutants. The students will be trained in fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as different molecular and biochemical techniques. While training the students into a strong set of broad -based skills for a career in biology, the findings are expected to lead to several publications and advance our knowledge of plants significantly .

Requirements :  Independent and self-motivated applicants with a strong background in plant biology, biochemistry and molecular biology are encouraged to apply. Prior laboratory experience (undergraduate research project, volunteering or similar) and hands-on experience with microscopy would be considered as strong additional assets. The Mathur lab actively embraces equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) parameters enshrined in student recruitment at the University of Guelph and MCB < https://www.uoguelph.ca/mcb/ >.  

Funding : M.Sc. students in the MCB are guaranteed a minimum of $21,259 stipend per year for a duration of 6 semesters. For more details regarding funding, see Student Stipend Information [ https://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/student-stipendinformation]. Depending on eligibility, students may also apply for a wide range of internal and external scholarships. See the full list of available Scholarships and Awards for more information [ https://graduatestudies.uoguelph.ca/current/funding/scholarships]. 

The positions are expected to start in the Fall 2021 semester. 

Application:  Interested applicants should submit a CV, unofficial transcript, a letter describing their research interests and career goals, and contact information for two referees to Dr. Jaideep Mathur (jmathur@uoguelph.ca). 

Further information on the Mathur lab is available at < https://mathurlab.github.io/ >